Only so much

: Hello
: Context:
: "The book is dedicated to people under stress who may have low energy or *only so much to give*.
: My difficulty is with "only so much to give. Does she mean - that they have a limited energy to give? or something else?

: 2. in this context:
: "It'not your fault if you follow doctor's orders and stil feel drained. You just need a more complete *prescription*. I'll give it to you here".
: My question: can I use the word prescription here in the meaning of *solution* or stay with the conventinal meaning?

: Thank you so much

Hello, Miri! In the first part, I think you are safe to say that because of stress the person will have a low level of participation and can only contribute so much or, as you say, has "only so much to give." For the second part, sometimes a person needs more than a doctor's traditional 'prescription' of medicine. Sometimes prescribed medicine needs to be combined with a change in attitude or lifestyle or point of view.
I hope this helps!